Victorian Greens say planned redevelopment of Port of Melbourne is an opportunity to invest in rail freight to reduce congestion
April 26, 2012
The Victorian Greens are lining up to ensure the massive redevelopment of the Port of Melbourne includes greater investment in rail to reduce truck numbers.
The state’s government this week announced a new container terminal would be built at Webb Dock, with the $1.2 billion spend also going towards upgrading facilities at Swanson Dock.
Greens MP Collenn Hartland believes the government’s plan could “massively” increase freight volumes.
“Trucks are already choking the Westgate Bridge and our residential streets in the west,” she says.
“The major development at Webb Dock provides an opportunity to kick start major rail freight investment in Victoria and reduce traffic congestion.
“Rail is the freight solution for the future but we’re already behind the eight-ball in terms of investment.”
Hartland says more than 21,000 trucks are driving through the streets of Maribyrnong each day.
“Freight volumes are growing rapidly and so too is residential in-fill in these areas – an incompatible mix.”
